FR2870478A1 - Cheese heel marker uses computer-controlled inkjet printer with cuurved head to apply food-grade ink to rough rind surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The marker, designed to apply an identification mark to the rough outer surface of the rind on the heel (3) of a cheese (4), consists of a printer (5), controlled by computer (7), to apply food-grade ink from a curved head set at a distance from the cheese surface as the latter is rotated. The cheese turns on a plate (6) rotated by a mechanism (19, 20, 22, 28) that is also controlled by the computer and enables the cheese to be raised above the level of a conveyor for printing as it passes between loading and unloading stations. The conveyor has support in the form of at least two rails, and fingers (13) on opposite sides that move parallel to the direction of travel and are spaced at an interval small than the diameter of the cheeses. The plate is rotated and moved up and down by a frame and a rack and pinion mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to a device as well as a method of

  marking on the heel of a cheese with an ammoniated floral rind, of irregular shape and presenting asperities.

  The marking on the heel of a cheese is made in a known manner by a device comprising a turntable associated with printing means constituted by a roller which comes into contact with the heel of the cheese.

  This type of printing is particularly suitable for cheeses of the pressed-paste type, such as Beaufort or Emmental, whose crust, especially on the heel of the cheese, is substantially smooth.

  It is known from document FR 2 621 529 to make cheese marking by the effect of a laser which burns the crust of the cheese on the surface.

  These different types of marking do not make it possible to make a legible marking on cheeses of the type having an ammonia-flowered crust.

  Indeed, it is not possible to mark this type of cheese before refining, when the shape of it is substantially smooth, because the cheese produces, during its refining, ammonia, which destroys the food ink of marking.

  On the other hand, this type of cheese has, after ripening, a fragile crust having an irregular shape and aspects that prevent roll marking.

  The known marking means, by roller or laser, cause a deterioration of this crust, by mechanical or thermal action, because it is fragile, especially compared to the pressed hard cheese mentioned above.

  Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a marking device for marking cheeses of the ammonia-flowered rind type, without damaging the crust, and allowing readable marking after refining.

  For this purpose, the present invention relates to a marking device on the heel of an irregularly shaped and irregularly shaped ammonia-bloomed cheese 6, characterized in that it comprises printing means without contact with the heel, for projecting food ink thereon, as well as means for driving cheese 2870478 2 in revolution relative to the printing means, the printing means comprising a food ink projection head according to a segment, this projection head being controlled by calculation means on the rotational movement of the means for driving the cheese in revolution.

  Advantageously, the means for driving the cheese in revolution comprise a turntable about a substantially vertical axis.

  According to one embodiment, the tray also makes it possible to lift the cheese over a conveying support to carry out the printing.

  Advantageously, the device comprises a conveying support and conveying drive means between a loading station, a marking station and an unloading station.

  According to one embodiment, the conveying support comprises at least two rails.

  Advantageously, the conveying drive means comprise at least two fingers located on either side of the conveying direction at a distance less than the diameter of the cheese and can be moved parallel in the conveying direction.

  According to one possibility, each finger is retractable by rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the conveying direction, against return means, in the conveying direction, and is blocked by a stop preventing it from pivoting to the opposite of the conveying direction.

  Advantageously, at least one pair of fingers is pivotally mounted on a shuttle movable in translation relative to the frame of the marking device, according to the conveying direction, and moved back and forth between two extreme positions.

  According to one embodiment, the displacement in rotation of the plate about the vertical axis and in translation along the vertical axis is achieved by a frame movable in translation along the conveying direction and comprising: - a rack intended to -cooler with a pinion integral with the turntable for driving in rotation, and a ramp intended to cooperate with a mobile wheel in rotation about a horizontal axis, this axis being integral with the turntable.

  Alternatively, at least one finger is driven by an endless chain or a belt conveyor.

  According to one embodiment, the device comprises an optical sensor located near the printing means for detecting the presence or absence of a cheese facing the printing means.

  According to one possibility, the printing means are of the deflected jet type.

  According to another possibility, the printing means are of the drop-on-demand type.

  The present invention also relates to a method of marking on the heel of a cheese comprising the steps of: - driving the cheese in relative revolution with respect to non-contact printing means, located opposite the heel, - print the heel of the cheese by the printing means which project ink in a segment S, during the relative revolution of the cheese.

  Advantageously, the marking method further comprises a step of lifting the cheese, while resting on its underside, above a first support, until facing printing means without contact.

  According to one embodiment, the marking method further comprises a conveying step between a change station and a printing station.

  Advantageously, the marking method further comprises a conveying step between a printing station and an unloading station.

  The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings showing two embodiments of a marking device according to the invention.

  Figure 1 is a side view according to a first embodiment, a cheese being opposite the printing means.

  Figure 2 is a top view of the device of Figure 1, in the initial position of a marking cycle.

  Figure 3 is a front-view of the device of Figure 1, at the beginning of the second step of a marking cycle.

  Figure 4 is a front view of the device of Figure 1, at the end of the third step of a marking cycle.

  Figure 5 is a front view according to a second embodiment.

  According to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a marking device 2 on the heel 3 of a cheese 4 with a bloomy rim comprises printing means 5 without contact with the heel 3 of the cheese making it possible to project the food ink thereon, as well as cheese revolution drive means 4 comprising a turntable 6 about a vertical axis A. The printing means 5 are constituted by a projection head 10 fixed food ink for projecting the ink in a vertical segment S on the heel 3 of the cheese 4.

  The projection by the head 5 is controlled by calculation means 7 on the rotation of the turntable 6, thus making it possible, by composing the rotational movement and the printing according to a printing segment, to

  inscriptions on the circumference of the heel 3.

  In this embodiment, the turntable 6 is movable in translation along the axis A between a high printing position, in which a cheese lying on the tray has its heel facing the printing means 5, and a low position.

  This displacement allows the plate to pass below the level of a cheese conveying support 4, consisting of two parallel rails 8 spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of a cheese 4, but greater than the diameter of the turntable 6 .

  This arrangement makes it possible to bring a cheese into position on the conveying support 8 above the plate 6, then to raise the cheese by moving the plate 6 upwards along the axis A, to position the cheese opposite the printing means 5, which are located above the level of the support 8.

  The conveying support 8 is arranged horizontally and makes it possible to support the cheeses 4 in their movement between a loading station 9, a marking station 10 and an unloading station 12.

  The marking device 2 further comprises conveying drive means perrn ing it cheeses 4, in a direction and a conveying direction C parallel to the rails 8, between the loading station 9, via the marking station 10 , to the unloading station 12. These means comprise fingers 13, associated in pairs, the fingers of a pair being located on either side of the rail 8.

  Each finger 13 is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis B and perpendicular to the conveying direction C. The finger is subjected to a return force returning it to a vertical position. In the embodiment presented here, this return force is ensured by the fact that the finger has a first short segment 14 and a second long segment 15 aligned on either side of the axis B, the upper mass of the second segment pulling it down and ensuring the return to the vertical equilibrium position.

  A stop 16 prevents the finger 13 from pivoting beyond the vertical position in a direction opposite to the pivoting arrow P, that is to say that the finger can not pivot away from the conveying direction C A pair of fingers 13 thus makes it possible, in the conveying direction C, to drive a cheese 4 over a given distance, then to retract by rotation to be brought upstream of the conveying direction to drive another cheese. .

  In the embodiment shown, the device comprises three pairs of fingers 13, the reciprocating movement in translation in the conveying direction C is identical, each pair of fingers being offset by a given distance from the in the direction C. These three pairs of fingers will respectively be designated by the references D1, D2, D3.

  In the embodiment shown, the pairs of fingers D1, D2, D3 are all pivotally mounted on a shuttle 17 movable in translation relative to the frame 18 of the marking device, along the axis C. The rotation drive of the turntable 6 and its vertical translation movement along the axis A are provided by a frame 19, movable in translation along the axis C. The frame 19 comprises a rack 20 for cooperating with a pinion 22 of axis A solidarity turntable for rotating drive. The frame 19 also comprises a ramp 23 having: a first horizontal section 24; - a second oblique section 25, - a third horizontal section 26.

  The ramp 23 cooperates with a wheel 27 that is rotatable about a horizontal axis E, this axis being integral with the turntable 6.

  The translational movement of the frame 19 in the conveying direction C causes, on the one hand, the rotation of the plate 6, by meshing between the rack 20 and the pinion 22, and on the other hand an upward movement of the plate 6, then a stabilization in the high position, the wheel ascending the oblique section 26 of the ramp 23 and being subsequently housed in the upper position on the third horizontal section 26.

  In this embodiment, the movements of the frame 19 and the shuttle 17 are both caused by the driving of a jack 28. This jack 28 directly drives the frame 19 by the connecting element 29 between two extreme positions in a movement back and forth.

  The frame 19 comprises a driving eyelet 30 in the light of which is engaged a rod 32 integral with the shuttle 17 and parallel to the conveying direction C. A compression spring 33 is housed around the rod 32, axially locked in position. upstream of the conveying direction by the driving eye 30 and downstream of the conveying direction by a spring stop 34 secured to the shuttle 17.

  On the other hand, a stop 35 of shuttle is provided on the frame 18 of the device, to limit the movement of the shuttle 17 in the direction of conveying, and a drive abutment 36 is disposed at the downstream end of the rod 32 allowing the eyelet 30 to come into contact and to drive the shuttle 17 in displacement in the opposite direction to the conveying direction C. In order to detect the presence of a cheese in front of the marking means 5, a sensor optical 37 is positioned on the side of the print head. This sensor makes it possible to trigger the marking only when cheese is next to the printing means.

  Thus when the frame 19 is driven in translation by the cylinder 28 in the direction and the conveying direction C from its most upstream position, the next marking cycle is performed.

  In a first step, the driving loop 30 drives the compression spring which, in turn, drives the shuttle 17 in the absence of stress opposing this movement. The wheel 27 is not in contact with the ramp 23 or contact of the first section 24 thereof: the plate is in the lower position, below the rails of the conveying support.

  A cheese that has been deposited by an operator at the loading station is driven to an intermediate zone midway between the loading station 9 and the marking station 10 by the pair of fingers D1. In the same way, a cheese located in the intermediate zone is driven by the pair of fingers D2 to the marking station 10, and a cheese situated initially opposite the marking station 10 is driven to the unloading station 12.

  In a second step, the shuttle 17 comes into contact with the shuttle stop 35. In this position, the pair of fingers D2 is positioned so that a cheese driven by this pair of fingers is facing the turntable 6 , at the level of the marking station. From this position, the shuttle remains in position, and the cheeses are no longer driven on the conveyor support. The frame 19 continues to advance, the compression spring being compressed between the eyelet 30 and the spring stop 34.

  As a result, the plate 6 moves upwards and then stabilizes in the high position, thus positioning the cheese positioned at the marking station by the fingers D2 opposite the printing means, the roller ascending the oblique section 26 the ramp 23 and being subsequently housed in the upper position on the third horizontal section 26.

  On the other hand, the plate 6 and the cheese 4 are rotated by meshing between the rack 20 and the pinion 22 the plate 6.

  In a third step, the optical sensor 37 detects the presence of cheese facing the printing means. The marking of the heel 3 of the cheese 4 is carried out by the marking means 5 according to the rotation of the cheese to form, by means of a projection of an ink jet along a segment S on the heel, in particular characters or drawings.

  The marking takes place without contact with the cheese, thus allowing effective marking even on a crust presenting asperities and without damaging the fragile crust.

T

  In a fourth step, the cylinder 28 having reached the end of its stroke, engages a displacement in the opposite direction, that is to say in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

  Frame-19 moves in the same direction. The plate 6 moves downwards and then stabilizes in the low position, thus positioning the cheese on the conveying support, the roller descending the oblique section 25 of the ramp 23 and subsequently being placed in the lower position on the first section. 24. During this step, the shuttle 17 remains stationary, the spring 33 relaxing.

  In a fifth step, the frame 19 continues its displacement and comes into contact with the driving abutment 36. Consequently, the shuttle 17 is driven in the opposite direction of the conveying direction C. In this sense, the fingers 13 are retract in contact with cheese 4 and do not lead them. At the end of this step, the device is in the initial state of the first step.

  The conveyor mode used is particularly suitable because it makes it possible not to significantly damage the heel 3 of the cheese 4, the latter only being in contact with two fingers 13, while guaranteeing precise positioning in the conveying direction. C but also transversely thereto, the support on the two fingers 13 for centering the cheese 4.

  The use of an optical sensor 37 makes it possible to simplify the control of the printing on the movement of the cheese, since it is possible to easily detect when the printing must begin.

  Known means also allow the calculation means 7, indicating the speed of rotation at the periphery of the cheese,

to print inscriptions.

  The print head used may be in particular of the deflected jet type or drop at the request D. The food ink is applied after refining, thus avoiding the deterioration thereof by the ammonia produced during refining.

  According to a second embodiment, the shuttle carrying the retractable fingers may be replaced by an endless double chain 38 comprising non-retractable fingers 39, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A belt conveyor may also be used in place of each chain. Rotating drive means 40 of the plate 6 and vertical displacement 42 of the jack type are also used.

  According to another embodiment not shown, the marking device comprises a fixed plate for lifting the cheese and printing means moving in rotation relative to the plate. This embodiment is more complex than the two previous ones, the set of printing means to be moved.

  As is self-evident, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above, by way of non-limiting example; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (17)

  1. Device for marking (2) on the heel (3) of a cheese (4) ammonia-flowered crust of irregular shape and having asperities, characterized in that it comprises printing means (5) without contact with the heel for projecting food ink thereon as well as means (6, 19, 20, 22, 28) for driving the cheese (4) in revolution relative to the printing means (5). ), the printing means (5) comprising a food ink projection head according to a segment (S), this projection head being slaved by calculation means (7) on the rotational movement of the means for to cause the cheese (6, 19, 20, 22, 28) in revolution.   2. Device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for driving the cheese in revolution comprise a plate (6) rotating about a substantially vertical axis (A).   3. Device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the plate (6) also allows to lift the cheese (4) above a conveying medium (8) to perform the printing.   4. Device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a conveying support (8) and conveying drive means (13,17) between a loading station (9), a station of marking (10) and an unloading station (12).   5. Device (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the conveying support (8) comprises at least two rails.   6. Device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the conveying drive means comprise at least two fingers (13) located on either side of the conveying direction (C) at a distance less than cheese diameter (4) and can be moved parallel in the conveying direction (C).   7. Device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that each finger (13) is retractable by rotation about a horizontal axis (B) perpendicular to the conveying direction (C), against means of back in the conveying direction (C); and is blocked by a stop (16) preventing it from pivoting away from the conveying direction (C).   8. Device (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one pair (D1, D2, D3) of fingers (13) is pivotally mounted on a shuttle (17) movable in translation relative to the frame (18). ) of the marking device (2), in the conveying direction (C), and moved back and forth between two extreme positions.   9. Device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the rotational displacement of the plate (6) about the vertical axis (A) and in translation along the vertical axis (A) is achieved by a frame (19), movable in translation in the conveying direction (C) and comprising: a rack (20) intended to cooperate with a pinion (22) integral with the turntable for driving in rotation, and - a ramp (23) ) intended to cooperate with a roller (27) movable in rotation about a horizontal axis (E), this axis being integral with the turntable (6).   10. Device according to claim (6), characterized in that at least one finger (39) is driven by an endless chain (38) or a belt conveyor 15.   11. Device (2) according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises an optical sensor (37) located near the printing means (5) for detecting the presence or absence of a cheese (4) facing the printing means (5).   12. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the printing means (5) are deflected jet type D. 13. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the printing means (5) are of the drop-on-demand type.   14. A method of marking on the heel of a cheese, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - driving the cheese in relative revolution with respect to non-contact printing means, located opposite the heel, - printing the heel of the cheese by the printing means which projects ink in a segment S, during the relative revolution of the cheese.   15. A method of marking according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a step of lifting the cheese, resting on its underside, above a first support, until the means contactless printing.   16. A method of marking according to claim 15, characterized in that the method further comprises a conveying step between a loading station and a printing station.   17. A method of marking according to claim 16, characterized in that the method further comprises a conveying step between a printing station and an unloading station.